Foot Injuries and Cleats

In "foot injuries and cleats" we focus on injury prevention especially as it pertains to cleats.

Cleats and Feet Series

Cleats-info has a series of original articles on foot injuries and cleats, click here to view the series.

Summary of Tips For avoiding injury from the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM)

1) Gradually introduce new cleats - never wear new cleats in a game.

2) If a child has any pre-existing ankle conditions, consult a podiatrist before using cleats.

3) Never allow the child to wear hand-me-downs.

4) Ensure you use “game day socks” when trying the cleats on.

5) Use the services of a footwear technician when sizing the cleats.

6) Pay particular attention for blistering or any discomfort - if there is pain, discontinue use for 3 days. Try them again - if the pain persists, consult a podiatrist.

Nick Johnson Blames Spikes for a Back Injury

Nick Johnson, of the Yankees missed the March 4 rematch with the Phillies, nursing a tweaked bat. Johnson injured himself by hanging a cleat on a turf mat during batting practice. Interestingly, according to this article by MLB.COM Johnson thinks the injury could have been avoided if he had been wearing turf shoes during batting practice.

If we were Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, and we had $200 million invested in salaries.... well we would be having some serious discussions with our trainers right now.

Our advice: we understand that some batting prectice should be in "game day" shoes. But not most of it. Take most of your swings in turf or even street shoes, there's no sense in risking the knee injuries associated with repetitve swinging.

Definitely wear turf shoes when you are surrounded by a surface, like Johnson was.

Heel that Pain Special

We'd like to direct our readers to the good people at Heel that Pain who are currently offering Read more about Plantar Fascitis here. If you are a sufferer, they can help.

Minor Injury Caused By Rubber Cleats

It seems that LA Dodgers 2nd Baseman Orlando Hudson is attributing his own injury to his rubber molded cleats. Hudson was running to back-up fellow teammate Loretta. The ball moved in a different direction than expected. Hudson tried to change direction and his feet went out from under him. Hudson states that he felt a “twinge”.

"I don't wear spikes," Hudson said. "I never do. Always wear rubber [cleats]. It's just one of those things."

Hudson continued to play for two more innings. He started a double play on a grounder by the next batter, Freddy Sanchez, and threw out Pablo Sandoval for the third out of the sixth inning.

He was removed after striking out in the top of the eighth and replaced by Juan Castro. He will possibly play tonight against the Phillies in Game 5?

Lastly, Cleats-Info gives a thumbs up to Orlando Hudson for his decision and belief that rubber cleats are best for his performance and his career, even though he recognized in the above mentioned situation, metal baseball spikes might have been better.

Foot Arch Pain causes and treatments

We summarize various articles on foot arch pain here.

Foot Blisters Causes and Treatments

Got painful foot blisters? Click here.

Cleats and an Increase in Injuries

As quoted from wikipedia… “The metatarsal bones are often broken by football players. These and other recent cases have been attributed to the modern lightweight design of football boots, which give less protection to the foot. Stress fractures are thought to account for 16% of injuries related to sports preparation, and the metatarsals are most often involved. These fractures are commonly called march fractures, as they were commonly diagnosed among military recruits after long marches. The second and third metatarsals are fixed while walking, thus these metatarsals are common sites of injury. The fifth metatarsal may be fractured if the foot is oversupinated during locomotion.[1]”

Sort of a long way of saying: speed kills.

The Difference Between Baseball, Football and Soccer Cleats

Some of you have asked whether you need to buy different shoes for each sport. Here are some of our thoughts on the subject.

The “Right” Cleats for Your Sport!

The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, with regards to foot injuries and cleats (AOFAS) recommends that people of the age 10 or older who practice or play a specific sport three or more times per week, should wear a sport specific shoe to help prevent foot injuries . By sport specific shoe we mean ...read more...

New Treatments for Shin Splints

Painful shin splints? Here is the most modern treatment method.

Achilles Tendonitis Treatment

Achilles tendonitis is no longer called a "tendonitis". Read about the most modern treatment methods here.

Turf Toe

Technically not a "foot injuries and cleats" topic.... as it happens on turf, but:

Unlike other 'wear and tear' injuries usually associated with the foot, Turf Toe is actually a more traumatic injury that can occur with a single wrong movement. If treated early the athlete can get back on the field within three weeks.

Webbed feet best left alone?

Though uncommon syndactyly (webbed feet) can be found in some adults. From what we have read this condition is best left alone. Leave Foot Injuries and go home.
Foot injuries and cleats